Rudolfinum

Just 200 meters from the Charles Bridge in Jan Palach Square lies Rudolfinum, a concert hall and art gallery built in 1885. Rudolfinum was conceptualized by businessmen and financial institutions, incredibly unusual donors at the time, in order to emphasize the supreme role of art and act as a temple honoring the importance of culture.

The building’s impressive Neo-Renaissance architecture is enough to bring curious onlookers to its doors, behind which you’ll find a gold and marble auditorium that’s home to the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. Named for Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria, the building’s Dvořák Hall is one of the oldest concert halls in Europe. Music nerds will be thrilled to learn that Antonín Dvořák himself conducted the Philharmonic Orchestra’s first concert in the hall in 1896. Visit in May or June for a chance to see the Prague Spring International Music Festival. And don’t forget to check out the many exhibition rooms throughout Galerie Rudolfinum.